In this paper, we provide an overview of recent works on dynamics of social networks and distributed algorithms for their exploration, contributed by Dr. Roberto Tempo (1956–2017) and his colleagues. These works, based on the recent achievements in multi-agent systems theory and distributed randomized algorithms, contribute in bridging the gap between the two classical sciences of Social Network Analysis and Systems and Control. The topics covered by this survey include distributed algorithms for analysis of complex social networks and novel dynamic models, describing opinion formation processes in such networks.